The Hospice of San Joaquin’s  philosophy recognizes that all terminally ill patients deserve the best palliative care possible; and that both patients and families deserve the best possible supportive care to relive physical, emotional, spiritual, and social pain and suffering. Our mission is to provide that care.  Our goals are to provide effective pain control and symptom management to enhance our patients’ quality of life.  We are committed to establish and develop a program of public and professional education and assistance to achieve that end. 

Hospice of San Joaquin’s Program of Public and Professional Education provides:

• Care-giving skills necessary for families to provide care in the home setting.
• Volunteer training to help support the patient and family in care-giving and understanding and managing grief.
• In-services and professional medical education for the medical community of physicians, nurses, home health aides, discharge planners and social workers. 
• Public education regarding end-of-life issues—i.e. workshops on “care planning” and “advance directives” are offered periodically.
• Downloadable "Advanced Care Directive Planning Information" and  "Advanced Care Directives Form".

Services by Department:

• Education Coordinator:  Provides in-service education to Physicians, Nurses, Home Health Aides/CNA's, Discharge Planners, Social Workers and Skilled Nursing Homes and Residential Care Facilities focused on pain management and symptom control.  CEU’s are available.
• Nurses and Social Workers:  Teach families care-giving skills on a one-to-one basis, plus pain management and symptom control.
• Volunteer Coordinator:  Offers 30+ hours of training on hospice care and working with families and caregivers dealing with terminal illness.
• Bereavement Coordinator:  Provides one-on-one and group sessions and workshops focused on understanding and coping with grief, and learning how to continue living healthy after loss.
• Education Coordinator and PR Staff:   provide public education regarding end-of-life care issues—materials, speakers’ bureau, workshops, and website.